Editorial: Public input necessary for solution to Cranbury library issues

[Cranbury Press editorial]

Editorial: Public input necessary for solution to Cranbury lirary issues
Friday, September 12, 2008 2:04 PM EDT

The marriage between the Cranbury Library and Cranbury School is hitting a rough patch that could force a breakup and the construction of a new library.

The Board of Education is raising concerns because of security breeches about a more than 80-year-old arrangement in which the public library shares a 4,000-square-foot space with the school’s library.

Everyone agrees that the arrangement has worked, but both parties in this marriage are starting to feel the strains of growth and the changing ways in which both libraries are used.

According to the library, circulation has increased nearly every single year over the past decade, with adult circulation growing most quickly.

Library officials say they need more space to allow for library growth and to accommodate the changing way that libraries are used. Already, books are stacked to the ceiling and the library sometimes is prevented from bringing in new materials.
In addition, residents who participated in a library-sponsored survey and in public hearings in recent years have told the township they would like the library to offer more adult education classes, community events like poetry readings and musical performances, and that there be separate spaces for children’s storytime, teen events and business meetings.

That’s why the library board of trustees, working with the Township Committee and Planning Board, has set aside in the Master Plan a portion of the Wright South property near Cranbury School for a 10,000-square-foot, freestanding library building.

The idea of a freestanding library, however, was at best a long-term dream, little more than a pipe dream in a town rightly concerned with the impact that increasing its debt load would have on taxes.

But the difficulties of running a dual library that must be accessible to the public while, at the same time, imposing restrictions to protect students are coming to a head.

The school board, which owns the library space, is planning to force the public library to scale back its hours so that it is not open to the public when school is in session. School officials say several incidents in the spring in which adults interacted with students — albeit innocently — raised concerns. While school staff is always present when students are in the library, it is easy to see how this relatively minor breech could turn into something far worse.

That said, the change in hours would affect the library, making it difficult to maintain its children’s programs, potentially endangering its relationship with the Middlesex County library consortium, which allows for interlibrary loans and computer access.

There is no good solution to the problem. Maintaining the status quo leaves school officials in a vulnerable position should something more egregious than a harmless conversation occur in the library during school hours. By the same token, cutting back on daytime hours hurts the people who use daytime programs.

Building a new library might seem a solution, but is not problem-free. Taxpayers would have to pay to build, equip and maintain a new library.

The library has wanted to have a dialogue with the community about its future. Now seems like a good time to get it started.

http://www.packetonline.com/articles/2008/09/12/cranbury_press/opinions/doc48caaeeb02121841152993.txt

[Guest]

Thru the backdoor. Again!

[Guest]

That is great for the Library to be part of the Master Plan. But, be aware I don't want to pay more in taxes. The Library has already a surplus from our tax dollars. The Library better come up with a plan that includes outside donations and other money making ideas.

Um . . . by the way - If the library feels the increase. Our school will really feel the pinch with the COAH looming over our heads. How about adding the school into the mix of the Master Plan.

[Guest]

I think the solution seems to point to the PNC building again. This time the school security and reduced hours issues will likely force the purchase.

[Guest]

[Guest]

[Guest]

[Guest]

I have an idea - make the township building the Cranbury Library. Just lock the doors leading to the school. This way they get the historical building they were looking for. The township offices can be put somewhere else. They do not need all that room.

[Guest]

[g2]

They are creating a situation where a stand alone library becomes a need. This is pretty good strategy.

People tend to agree and not question much if you say it's a safety issue (ball field fence) or a security issue.

[Guest]

[Guest]

[James]

My wife had an interesting proposal for the story time concern. Why not agree with the school that during a 2 hour period the only public access is a mom and child or father and child. That way they can bring in a child for story time. I don't think that's an unreasonable requirement since they are there for a specific purpose.

[Oneof53]

I'm one of the 53 daily users of the library and am OK with the new proposed libary hours. If they can open longer on Sat and Sunday that would be even better for me. I can sit at the bench infront of the lake to read my paper while the library is closed. It gives me a chance to spend more time at Blue Rooster or Teddys, the Inn, etc while the library is closed. Small price to pay for lower taxes, right.

[HistoricallyFiscal]

[publius]

Has anyone seen Princeton's library?
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOW, THATS A LIBRARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!